As Sarah Jane Smith, the investigative reporter who accompanied four different incarnations of Doctor Who, Elisabeth Sladen was one of the show's most popular characters. She even had her own successful spinoff from 2006 to 2011. On April 19, 2011, however, Sladen died suddenly. It's not clear what will happen to her show, The Sarah Jane Adventures. (Victor Blackman/Getty Images/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures

Sigourney Weaver's no-nonsense alien-busting mineral refiner-turned-action hero not only kicked serious xenomorph ass, she also won our hearts whether she was in a bulky spacesuit, wielding a flamethrower, or hopping around in her skivvies. Thanks to bryant52 for ensuring the game isn't over, man. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures

Lynda Carter played Diana, princess of Themiscyra, sent to bring justice to man's world in The New Original Wonder Woman and The New Adventures of Wonder Woman from 1975 to 1979. A wonderful suggestion from User391781. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures

Farrah Fawcett costars with Kirk Douglas and Harvey Keitel in 1980's Saturn 3, playing Alex, the only woman on an experimental hydroponics station in orbit around Saturn. Despite the A-list billing, the movie was unmemorable. Fawcett's costumes, on the other hand .... (Pictorial Parade/Getty Images/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures

For the 2009 film reboot of the Star Trek franchise, Zoe Saldana does away with the catsuits, but brings back the '60s series' miniskirt uniforms. (Kristian Dowling/Getty Images/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures